Trouble in the Heartland: Challenges Confronting Rural Jails

Abstract

There has been very little scholarship on the roles and functions of rural jails in the United States. This study examines some of the key challenges facing these small correctional institutions, using data from two national surveys, focus groups of jail administrators, and the results from a survey of Texas jail administrators. These studies solicited information about the operational challenges and changing offender populations in small and rural jails. In order to better respond to these changing characteristics, a number of policy options for rural jails are considered, including: regionalization, transferring the operations of local jails to state departments of corrections, increasing alternatives to incarceration, expanding local capacity, abiding by standards or becoming accredited, and privatizing local corrections. The merits of these different solutions are examined.

Examining the Predictors of Parole Release in a Rural Jail Population

“…Other demographic statistics illustrate the profile of those incarcerated in the jail. Much of what was found in this study echoes what is found in the existing literature about rural jail inmates (Bowker, 2002;Mays & Thompson, 1991;Ruddell & Mays, 2011;Zajac & Kowalski, 2012). The majority of the offenses committed by those incarcerated in the jail are misdemeanor property offenses, DUIs, and misdemeanor person offenses.…”

“…Although many researchers have studied parole decisions for state or federal inmates, as well as the effects of parole in determinate sentencing models, very few studies have addressed parole decisions in an indeterminate sentencing model. Previous studies have illustrated the differences and challenges that are faced by rural jails as compared with their urban counterparts (Applegate & Sitren, 2008;Klofas, 1990;Ruddell & Mays, 2007;Ruddell & Mays, 2011;Zajac et al, 2014). No studies have been identified that address the factors that influence parole decisions in local jails in an indeterminate sentencing model.…”

Jails in the Time of Coronavirus

“…Furthermore, as many jails are standalone facilities, they may not have many external resources to utilize (Ruddell & Mays, 2011). Disparity in resources has implications for how jails respond to COVID-19 because some facilities may already be less prepared to reduce their jail population or utilize alternative options to incarceration, as they do not already have them in place, especially in rural areas.…”

“…Our first question examines regional differences in jail pandemic responses. States might respond differently to the pandemic based upon their geographic or geopolitical position in the U.S., as states have regional differences in political policy, economic strength, and social norms (Kang-Brown & Subramanian, 2017;Ruddell & Mays, 2011;Thompson & Mays, 1991;Widra & Wagner, 2020). Therefore, it is likely that jails, as organizations, are responsive to their outside environment and may vary in their responses to COVID-19 in reaction to such influences.…”